07 Sep 2026
Since opening to the public exactly two years ago, the Govan - Partick Bridge in Glasgow has proved to be hugely popular.
In that time, over 2.55million people have crossed the Bridge, with three-quarters of these pedestrians, and a quarter using bikes. The key role of the Bridge for cyclists is highlighted by a 5.5% increase in their use of it in the second year compared to the first.
The Glasgow City Region City Deal project - the Scottish and UK Governments each provided £12.685million in funding for the Bridge - re-established the historic connection between Govan and Partick, with the Bridge crossing between Water Row on the south side and Pointhouse Quay beside the Riverside Museum on the north.
The bridge has proven to be important economically, environmentally and socially through the link it provides not only between riverside communities, but also nearby visitor attractions and institutions of national economic importance, including the University of Glasgow and the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. There is significant and ongoing regeneration on both banks of the Clyde close to the Bridge, with some recent developments including the transformation of part of Govan Graving Docks into new public green space; new housing at Water Row; preparatory works at Yorkhill Quay; and the University of Glasgow’s Health Innovation Hub, a cutting-edge life sciences facility in Govan.
One of the longest opening pedestrian/cycle bridges in Europe, the Bridge has a width of six metres and two spans. The moving span, which weighs 650 tonnes, is 99 metres long and uses the South Pier at Water Row as its access; and the fixed span, which weighs 45 tonnes and is 15.7 metres long.
Councillor Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of the Glasgow City Region Cabinet, said: “These fantastic figures for the Govan-Partick Bridge underline how quickly it has become not only a key part of the city’s travel network, but a well-loved landmark that - as we can see from what is happening on both sides of the river - is meeting its key aims of connecting and regenerating our riverside communities while supporting the local, regional and national economy. What a success the Bridge has been.”
The Glasgow City Region City Deal will see both the Scottish and UK Governments each provide £500million of funding for infrastructure projects across the city-region.
